Just a quick update: we made it to the dude's parents' house last night. When I walked into that bathroom to get ready for bed, I felt - for what I think is the first time - how truly different I am from when I was here two years ago. Of course, it helps that … Continue reading Trip day 4
Trip day 2
We got to Raleigh late last night, and went straight to bed. I don't think I woke up once during the night. But this morning, well, anxiety had other ideas. It woke me up with a jolt and an immediate feeling like I was about to unravel. The thing about anxiety is that it makes … Continue reading Trip day 2
Trip day: departure
GUYS. GUYS. GUYS. I FEEL NORMAL. Seriously. Not even any tightness in the chest or feeling on alert, which are typically the symptoms that stick around longest. Ok, so, here's my morning so far: 6:55 am: wake up with some pretty intense tightness in the chest and a very strong feeling of being on alert. I … Continue reading Trip day: departure
Oh, hey, I know you.
Did anybody else spend this morning with a ball of hot scratchy anxiety in their chest? No? Just me? Cool. Let me back up. The dude and I (and the dog) are leaving tomorrow for Florida. We're going to spend two days driving down, then stay for almost a week, then spend two days driving … Continue reading Oh, hey, I know you.
Profile of a fellow anxiety sufferer
Today we're doing something a little bit different. While this blog will still mostly focus on my experiences with anxiety, I'm going to start interviewing other people who deal with anxiety and posting it here every so often. Partly this is because my experience isn't universal, and there are definitely things about me or my … Continue reading Profile of a fellow anxiety sufferer
How The Atlantic totally got anxiety management wrong
I've been super excited lately about how often well-known folks like Kristen Bell and others are being forthright and straightforward about their struggles with mental health. That is so freaking awesome. I love that we live in a world where people talking about being vulnerable, where people admit that they don't actually have their shit together all … Continue reading How The Atlantic totally got anxiety management wrong
More awesome things
I promise some longer posts (and rad, new things) are in the works. But for now, check out these two short things: These awesome illustrations from artist Pranita Kocharekar about what anxiety is like. She totally nailed it, especially the last one. Mimi smartypants' most recent take on anxiety, passed on by the dude because … Continue reading More awesome things
A brief history of the anxious state
In looking over old entries, I realized that I've written about the last two years a lot. Like, A LOT a lot. And that makes sense to me because they've been really intense, but I also feel like there's a bigger picture here. The reason that last two years were so bad is because, before that, … Continue reading A brief history of the anxious state
Down Dog
For those of you who have been following this for a while (or are new! Hey! Welcome!), you know how important yoga is to me. I've shared some of the music I listen to while I practice and in the near future will be posting sequences specifically geared to anxiety. I've haven't been as on … Continue reading Down Dog
Some things you can look forward to
Guys. First of all, a HUGE thank you to all of the people who have read, commented, and reached out over the last couple of days (and to the people who've been reading from the beginning. Y'all are the best). I hope you're finding things here that resonate with you and/or are helpful. Secondly, a … Continue reading Some things you can look forward to
it's only fear 